I had to take our car to the emissions testing center and then wait in line to get my registeration renewed today. Of course, I waited until the last day of the month to do so, so I faced long lines and long waits. However, it's done and no worries until Jun 2009.
With this being said, I waited until I was in line at the emissions testing center to call DeMonty- to tell him how long the line was. Only after I had finished making sure that we wouldn't go to jail for expired tags did I learn this... DeMonty had a chance to go to lunch with some friends. He declined because he wasn't sure what I was doing for lunch (we normally eat together everyday). When these friends came back to the office, they proceeded to tell him that they had lunch with Reba.... McEntire that is. This is the same Reba of country music fame... the same Reba that had a self-named hit television show that my daughter (as well as I)absolutely loves.
If DeMonty would have gone to lunch with them, there is a 99.9% chance that he would have met her and in turn had the chance to take a picture to show to Ashlyn after the daycare pickup... and I ruined his chance. Evidently she sat down and had lunch with his co-workers... he would have had the chance to talk her ear off (like he does with all that he meets).
You wouldn't understand unless you were at our house at 7:00 (CST) to hear Ashlyn say, "I think Reba coming on". We watch this show together. When I turn to Lifetime, she jumps up and down and says "Reba! Reba! I love Reba!" She loves Barbara Jean and loves to sing the theme song. I messed up.
I'm sorry Ashlyn! Mommy will find a way to make it up to you. How 'bout that Hannah Montana microphone you've been asking for?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Weekend of Nothing
Last weekend was the first weekend since we moved that we have had absolutely nothing to do or no one come for a visit. And to that I say, "Hallelujah!" Not that I don't love all of our fabulous family and friends who have visited, but we moved in March, so I am talking about a constant stream of visitors for right at 4 months. Phew!
Ashlyn has been under the weather the past couple of days, so Saturday was really lazy. We took a girls trip to Wal-Mart and then we took a family trip to Old Navy to pick up some $1 flip-flops. There we so many people out and about. Alot of stores were having really good sales, but all we were after were flip-flops. However, we did stumle upon a really nice floor lamp at Homegoods that was clearanced priced at $25. I think that we have spent 1/3 of our salaries at Homegoods since we have moved. I absolutely love the store and our house is benefiting nicely from the items that we have found.
We had all intentions of going to church yesterday, but Ashlyn was up at 5:00 am and DeMonty put her in the bed with us. She was up early due to the fact that she fell asleep in the floor of the bonus room around 8:00 the night before. One minute we were playing tickle fingers and the next minutes she is laid on the floor snooring, which caught me completely by surprise. The Benedryl had fought a tough fight and it finally won. She's not a child who favors bedtime or sleeping (unlike her mother), so for this to be the first time that she has gone on her own... it will forever be burned into my memory.
I'm glad that it was a slow weekend because it allowed my mind and my spirit to slow down and rejuvenate. I feel refreshed and the issue that had me upset last week it just something more that I will have to deal with when the time comes. I'm not even going to address it with the person, simply because there is no real reason to. I have turned it over to Him. He knows how to handle it and only He knows what is to come. I am patiently awaiting for Him to do what He knows best and to show me how He plans to use me during this time.
Ashlyn has been under the weather the past couple of days, so Saturday was really lazy. We took a girls trip to Wal-Mart and then we took a family trip to Old Navy to pick up some $1 flip-flops. There we so many people out and about. Alot of stores were having really good sales, but all we were after were flip-flops. However, we did stumle upon a really nice floor lamp at Homegoods that was clearanced priced at $25. I think that we have spent 1/3 of our salaries at Homegoods since we have moved. I absolutely love the store and our house is benefiting nicely from the items that we have found.
We had all intentions of going to church yesterday, but Ashlyn was up at 5:00 am and DeMonty put her in the bed with us. She was up early due to the fact that she fell asleep in the floor of the bonus room around 8:00 the night before. One minute we were playing tickle fingers and the next minutes she is laid on the floor snooring, which caught me completely by surprise. The Benedryl had fought a tough fight and it finally won. She's not a child who favors bedtime or sleeping (unlike her mother), so for this to be the first time that she has gone on her own... it will forever be burned into my memory.
I'm glad that it was a slow weekend because it allowed my mind and my spirit to slow down and rejuvenate. I feel refreshed and the issue that had me upset last week it just something more that I will have to deal with when the time comes. I'm not even going to address it with the person, simply because there is no real reason to. I have turned it over to Him. He knows how to handle it and only He knows what is to come. I am patiently awaiting for Him to do what He knows best and to show me how He plans to use me during this time.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sometimes Things in Life Just Suck
We had a great weekend filled with granparents, great-grandparent (only one that is still living... imagine 4 generations... rare - I know), and dancing. Ashlyn's recital was so cute! She did an amazing job... wasn't even scared to go out on stage and do her thing. I noticed that she kept looking for me in the audience. I threw her off. The day before at rehearsal I sat in teh middle section on the left-hand side of the auditorium. The day of the recital I w
as on the right-hand side trying to take pictures to give myself enough time to run back to the cafeteria by the time she made it off the stage. She was such a little lady and believe it or not, I didn't cry. Not one tear. I was so proud of her and I had the smile to prove it. Now, we get a few weeks of a break from dance class, but soon... tap will begin.
I really enjoy my family... especially when we are all together. Besides GG needing to leave at the recital's intermission because she was cold (always cold) and hungry everything went like clock work... that is until Sunday morning right before people began to leave. I love my family.
I received some dissapointing... no wait... disturbing news. Maybe it was dissapionting and disturbing. Honestly, I really don't know what it was... I'm still trying to process the situation and the way that I feel about it. What I was told was completely unexpected!!! Something that I never ever thought that I would hear at this point in my life. It was like I was a character in a movie... everything became slow motion as the sentence was relayed to me. I can't really remember what else what said after that point, I just know that I was in shock. I don't really want to go into what I was told, maybe on another day when I have come to grips with things, but not today. While the situation effects me in a indirect way, it still affects me and my family and I think I'm really upset about that. Notice I said I think that I am upset about it... honestly I really don't know how I feel. Still trying to figure it out.
This is one of those curveballs that I spoke about in my very first post. I don't think that I am recall an uneventful year where something major hasn't occured in the past 6 years. Birth, unexpected death, marriage... the list goes on and on. You name it, I (we) have probably experienced it within the last few years. I know I shouldn't complain... but sometimes things in life just suck. Things that I have no control over, but I have to deal with. Welcome to life. Just when you think things are going smoothly, the Lord throws something at you so that you redirect your attention back to Him. I know that this is what He is doing to me with this situation. There are so many other greater problems and issues than the one that I am currently dealing with, so I just need to get over it and become supportive of someone who has always been supportive of me... no questions asked.
I'm dealing with it.... I really am. Prayer is helping me get it together, but when I think of the words that I heard on Sunday, I'm still in disbelief.
as on the right-hand side trying to take pictures to give myself enough time to run back to the cafeteria by the time she made it off the stage. She was such a little lady and believe it or not, I didn't cry. Not one tear. I was so proud of her and I had the smile to prove it. Now, we get a few weeks of a break from dance class, but soon... tap will begin. I really enjoy my family... especially when we are all together. Besides GG needing to leave at the recital's intermission because she was cold (always cold) and hungry everything went like clock work... that is until Sunday morning right before people began to leave. I love my family.
I received some dissapointing... no wait... disturbing news. Maybe it was dissapionting and disturbing. Honestly, I really don't know what it was... I'm still trying to process the situation and the way that I feel about it. What I was told was completely unexpected!!! Something that I never ever thought that I would hear at this point in my life. It was like I was a character in a movie... everything became slow motion as the sentence was relayed to me. I can't really remember what else what said after that point, I just know that I was in shock. I don't really want to go into what I was told, maybe on another day when I have come to grips with things, but not today. While the situation effects me in a indirect way, it still affects me and my family and I think I'm really upset about that. Notice I said I think that I am upset about it... honestly I really don't know how I feel. Still trying to figure it out.
This is one of those curveballs that I spoke about in my very first post. I don't think that I am recall an uneventful year where something major hasn't occured in the past 6 years. Birth, unexpected death, marriage... the list goes on and on. You name it, I (we) have probably experienced it within the last few years. I know I shouldn't complain... but sometimes things in life just suck. Things that I have no control over, but I have to deal with. Welcome to life. Just when you think things are going smoothly, the Lord throws something at you so that you redirect your attention back to Him. I know that this is what He is doing to me with this situation. There are so many other greater problems and issues than the one that I am currently dealing with, so I just need to get over it and become supportive of someone who has always been supportive of me... no questions asked.
I'm dealing with it.... I really am. Prayer is helping me get it together, but when I think of the words that I heard on Sunday, I'm still in disbelief.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Li'l Miss Makeup
Ashlyn had recital pictures last Friday, so I sat her down in the floor to do her makeup. (Sigh) My 3 year old's first expereince with makeup. I made DeMonty go get the camera to document the moment. Before I started, DeMonty went into full "dad" mode and explained to her that the only reason why she was wearing makeup was for her recital pictures and her recital... and those were the only times she could wear it.
Applying mascara
She sat there like a pro and did what I told her to do. "Look up so I can put on the mascara". She looked up with her perfect little eyes and sat still as I applied the lengthening mascara to her already elephant-like eyelashes (she gets them from her daddy). She became a little sqeamish when I approached her with the eyeliner, but all-in-all she did extremely well.
Just need lipstick
Li'l Miss Makeup
As you can see, I didn't put alot on her... she's only 3 and not 30, but when we got to the studio to take pictures she didn't like she had anything on compared to the other girls. Granted... this girls were between the ages of 7 and 13, but fake eyelashes are a little much for me. I turned to my friend and told her that I felt like I had entered beauty pageant land. Sidenote: I have nothing against pageants, it's just not for me or my daughter. I'm all for building self esteem and creating a positive image,(I think that all of this is taught at home... and it's important to know that women are beautiful without all of the enhancements available) but not at the expense of $1000+ dresses, hairpieces, false teeth, fake eyelashes, and gobs of makeup. To each his own, but we'll pass on pageants. I know... I probably sound really ignorant to all of the pageant moms in the world, but you do you and I'll do me.
The makeup that she had on was appropriate for a 3 year old girl taking recital pictures. I understand that the goal of the makeup is to make sure that their faces standout, but I don't feel comfortable caking it on. I have plenty of days in the future of seeing her all "made-up", so I'm good with what was done on Friday. Plus, one of my closest friend's daughter takes class with Ashlyn and she also had on the appropriate amount of makeup (at least what I consider to be appropriate). We returned home, washed her face with soap and water, and all was well.
The fun thing is I get to do it all over again on Saturday. Do you think that I need to go any heavier or did I use just enough?
The makeup that she had on was appropriate for a 3 year old girl taking recital pictures. I understand that the goal of the makeup is to make sure that their faces standout, but I don't feel comfortable caking it on. I have plenty of days in the future of seeing her all "made-up", so I'm good with what was done on Friday. Plus, one of my closest friend's daughter takes class with Ashlyn and she also had on the appropriate amount of makeup (at least what I consider to be appropriate). We returned home, washed her face with soap and water, and all was well.
The fun thing is I get to do it all over again on Saturday. Do you think that I need to go any heavier or did I use just enough?
Monday, June 9, 2008
Mosquito Bites, Swimming Pools, & Sore Wrists
I have never been an "outdoor girl". I never understood why people liked to spend their free time outdoors, but since moving into the house, I completely understand the allure. Now... don't get me wrong... I don't have any plans to become a hiker or anything like that, but I have found that I really enjoy being outdoors (as long as there is some kind of shade and a cool glass of ice water by my side).
DeMonty and I worked in the yard all weekend. We have a flower bed in front that the previous owner so nicely left overgrown and mangy just for us. I had been saying that we needed to get it in order, but I made the decision to get it done this weekend (a weekend of 90 degree temperatures... dumb, I know). Although the heat was rough, the work was pleasurable although I have several mosquitos bites on my left leg (I guess the right leg wasn't as sweet) and sore wrists from the hedge clippers.
We started around 7:00 Friday night after my trip to the local Home Depot to get mulch. After much comtemplating on the type of mulch and the price I wanted to pay, I decided on the rubber mulch (the stuff they use on playgrounds). While it is more expensive, it's made out of recycled tires (my contribution to a green earth) and it has a color guarantee of 12 years. I must say that it was well worth the investment.
We worked until 9:00 Friday night while Ashlyn ran in and out of the house and readjusted the temperature on the water heater (DeMonty caught her in the act). I know trimming bushes isn't very exciting for a 3-year old, but once we got started we wanted to get as much done as we could. Since Ashlyn wakes up around 7:30 we planned to get up early Saturday morning so that we could finish the job. I didn't get much sleep that night... my arms felt like jell-o from the shock of actually having to perform physical labor. Ashlyn slept late (unheard of 99% of the time), so we got work after DeMonty returned from his hair cut and my grocery store run. It was 11:30 when we started again. What in the world were we thinking?
At 11:30 the sun had made it to the front of the house, and while the flower bed was still pretty much shaded, the bushes the surround the box for the underground utilites had direct sunlight. Of course, it was my job to trim the bushes (a job that I'd appointed myself to do) and I was sweating within 5 minutes. I looked over at Ashlyn who was enjoying herself in the swimming pool that I had blown up to keep her out of our hair while we worked. Let's talk about the pool for a minute... this pool was purchased by Gran and Papaw and could probably fit at least 5 small children comfortably. Ashlyn has been asking for her pool for a while, but we didn't want to take the time to bother with it. It was in a box that wasn't small, but it wasn't big, so the size completely fooled me when I pulled it out. I thought, "Oh, this won't be too bad", but then I began to blow it up (with an electric pump) and realized that this thing is HUGE. I mean... you have to blow up 2 different levels... the outside and the inside (so that it is good and cushy). If I had been 10 years younger and 15 pounds lighter, I would have thrown down those hedge clippers and joined her, but I didn't want to scare the neighbors. This pool is nice and I'm a little jealous because we didn't even have sprinklers to run through when I was her age. Anyway... I digress....
Never did I think that yard work would make me so happy. I mean... I actually helped improve the curb appeal of our house (it looks really good, but I am a little biased), a house that we love and thank God for all of the time... especially the times we are sitting on the porch just enjoying each other's company. During those tough times in the past when I would ask the Lord why He felt that we needed to struggle, I always knew is was so that I could give all glory and honor to Him for all His blessings. If it were not for those struggles, I wouldn't truly appreciate all the things that He has done and continues to do for us. He told me that He would make a way out of no way, and He has and He always will.
DeMonty and I worked in the yard all weekend. We have a flower bed in front that the previous owner so nicely left overgrown and mangy just for us. I had been saying that we needed to get it in order, but I made the decision to get it done this weekend (a weekend of 90 degree temperatures... dumb, I know). Although the heat was rough, the work was pleasurable although I have several mosquitos bites on my left leg (I guess the right leg wasn't as sweet) and sore wrists from the hedge clippers.
We started around 7:00 Friday night after my trip to the local Home Depot to get mulch. After much comtemplating on the type of mulch and the price I wanted to pay, I decided on the rubber mulch (the stuff they use on playgrounds). While it is more expensive, it's made out of recycled tires (my contribution to a green earth) and it has a color guarantee of 12 years. I must say that it was well worth the investment.
We worked until 9:00 Friday night while Ashlyn ran in and out of the house and readjusted the temperature on the water heater (DeMonty caught her in the act). I know trimming bushes isn't very exciting for a 3-year old, but once we got started we wanted to get as much done as we could. Since Ashlyn wakes up around 7:30 we planned to get up early Saturday morning so that we could finish the job. I didn't get much sleep that night... my arms felt like jell-o from the shock of actually having to perform physical labor. Ashlyn slept late (unheard of 99% of the time), so we got work after DeMonty returned from his hair cut and my grocery store run. It was 11:30 when we started again. What in the world were we thinking?
At 11:30 the sun had made it to the front of the house, and while the flower bed was still pretty much shaded, the bushes the surround the box for the underground utilites had direct sunlight. Of course, it was my job to trim the bushes (a job that I'd appointed myself to do) and I was sweating within 5 minutes. I looked over at Ashlyn who was enjoying herself in the swimming pool that I had blown up to keep her out of our hair while we worked. Let's talk about the pool for a minute... this pool was purchased by Gran and Papaw and could probably fit at least 5 small children comfortably. Ashlyn has been asking for her pool for a while, but we didn't want to take the time to bother with it. It was in a box that wasn't small, but it wasn't big, so the size completely fooled me when I pulled it out. I thought, "Oh, this won't be too bad", but then I began to blow it up (with an electric pump) and realized that this thing is HUGE. I mean... you have to blow up 2 different levels... the outside and the inside (so that it is good and cushy). If I had been 10 years younger and 15 pounds lighter, I would have thrown down those hedge clippers and joined her, but I didn't want to scare the neighbors. This pool is nice and I'm a little jealous because we didn't even have sprinklers to run through when I was her age. Anyway... I digress....
Never did I think that yard work would make me so happy. I mean... I actually helped improve the curb appeal of our house (it looks really good, but I am a little biased), a house that we love and thank God for all of the time... especially the times we are sitting on the porch just enjoying each other's company. During those tough times in the past when I would ask the Lord why He felt that we needed to struggle, I always knew is was so that I could give all glory and honor to Him for all His blessings. If it were not for those struggles, I wouldn't truly appreciate all the things that He has done and continues to do for us. He told me that He would make a way out of no way, and He has and He always will.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Do Spirits Drink Kool-Aid?
It's been a busy last couple of days for me at work. I had a major deadline that was oh-so-over importmant, and I am happy to say that I will get at least 10% of the printed material where it needs to be next week. 10% is good considering that this pieces was turned in about 7 days after receiving the content, when layout alone normally takes 14 days. I've decided to have a party for myself. Sorry... you're not invited. After dealing with several different people with differing opinions for the past couple days I am in need of a 1 person celebration. I still haven't decided ona date for the party, but you can best believe that it will happen.
Ok... what is it with 3 year olds? Ashlyn has been extremely stubborn, bossy,a nd whiny this week, and no, I don't think that it seemed like it would more than usual because I was stressed. She is this little person with a very big voice. I was banished from downstairs last night, after I offered to wath Barbie Swan Lake with her. It was okay for her daddy to watch it, but I was told to go downstairs (which I find particularly funny becuase I was already downstairs". This is bad to say, but I didn't mind being banished one bit! I headed upstairs and watched 2 hours of Ghost Hunters without any interruptions! I'm still asking myself why I decided to watch it... I guess I thought it was okay because it was still daylight when I started watching, but it was dark when I decided to change the channel. The after effects of the program happened when I went downstairs (Ashlyn was in the bed, so I was now allowed to go back downstairs in my own house) to get something to drink. DeMonty had turned all the lights out, so I had to figure out how to get from the stairs (where I light was on), to the dining room (light was off), to the kithcen (light was off) without feeling that somone... something, was following me around. Do spirits drink Kool-Aid?
DeMonty thinks its funny that I do this to myself, but I find this kind of thing very interesting, and can not seem to change the channel when I happen across this stuff even though I know that I am going to be a nervous wreck later.
Anyway... I've just kinda rambled about things... I guess that's what happens when you haven't blogged in a few days.
Oh... I saw a commercial last night for Lisa Williams ("Life Among the Dead" that comes on Lifetime). I LOVE her and I think she has an amazing gift and I would love to be on her show if I didn't think I would be scared after the experience. Anywho... she is going to be at the Ryman Auditorium on July 19th and I really want to go, but I don't want to pay $45-$75 to go see her (I'm cheap). Maybe I can run into her and have a streetside reading while she is in town. Anyone know if Ticketmaster has coupons? :)
Ok... what is it with 3 year olds? Ashlyn has been extremely stubborn, bossy,a nd whiny this week, and no, I don't think that it seemed like it would more than usual because I was stressed. She is this little person with a very big voice. I was banished from downstairs last night, after I offered to wath Barbie Swan Lake with her. It was okay for her daddy to watch it, but I was told to go downstairs (which I find particularly funny becuase I was already downstairs". This is bad to say, but I didn't mind being banished one bit! I headed upstairs and watched 2 hours of Ghost Hunters without any interruptions! I'm still asking myself why I decided to watch it... I guess I thought it was okay because it was still daylight when I started watching, but it was dark when I decided to change the channel. The after effects of the program happened when I went downstairs (Ashlyn was in the bed, so I was now allowed to go back downstairs in my own house) to get something to drink. DeMonty had turned all the lights out, so I had to figure out how to get from the stairs (where I light was on), to the dining room (light was off), to the kithcen (light was off) without feeling that somone... something, was following me around. Do spirits drink Kool-Aid?
DeMonty thinks its funny that I do this to myself, but I find this kind of thing very interesting, and can not seem to change the channel when I happen across this stuff even though I know that I am going to be a nervous wreck later.
Anyway... I've just kinda rambled about things... I guess that's what happens when you haven't blogged in a few days.
Oh... I saw a commercial last night for Lisa Williams ("Life Among the Dead" that comes on Lifetime). I LOVE her and I think she has an amazing gift and I would love to be on her show if I didn't think I would be scared after the experience. Anywho... she is going to be at the Ryman Auditorium on July 19th and I really want to go, but I don't want to pay $45-$75 to go see her (I'm cheap). Maybe I can run into her and have a streetside reading while she is in town. Anyone know if Ticketmaster has coupons? :)
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